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Advances in HIV Research: Molecular Basis and Potential Therapies

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 235

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Immunology & Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
Interests: HIV lung comorbidities; antiretroviral therapies; immune-boosts; viral immunology; vascular disease; cell-cell crosstalk; host-cell interactions; HIV animal models; viral proteins; viral evolution; viral reservoirs; integrating viruses; retroviruses; co-infections; HIV cure
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled “Advances in HIV Research: Molecular Basis and Potential Therapies”, aims to showcase recent breakthroughs in understanding HIV infection, replication, and pathogenesis that take us closer to novel therapeutics and the HIV cure. Here we highlight significant advancements in elucidating the previously unrecognized structure and function of HIV proteins, virus–host interactions, and viral genetic variability that challenges vaccine and drug development. Submissions exploring HIV prevention, novel broadly neutralizing antibodies, the molecular underpinnings of HIV latency and persistence, virus latency discovery and reversing agents, CRISPR/Cas-9-based gene editing, long-acting ART, novel biomarkers for disease progression, novel in vitro and in vivo models, and the impact of co-infections on HIV pathophysiology in a strong translational context are encouraged. In general, this call for submissions is expected to address current challenges associated with achieving a functional HIV cure. Original research articles, short communications, methods papers, and reviews are welcomed.

Dr. Sharilyn Almodovar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • human immunodeficiency virus
  • HIV prevention
  • HIV therapeutics
  • HIV vaccines
  • antiretroviral therapies
  • long-acting ART
  • HIV genetic therapy
  • HIV animal models
  • HIV in vitro models
  • viral reservoirs
  • HIV latency
  • HIV persistence
  • HIV evolution
  • HIV quasispecies
  • HIV proteins
  • HIV cure
  • HIV immunopathogenesis

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

22 pages, 1358 KB  
Review
Beyond Viral Assembly: The Emerging Role of HIV-1 p17 in Vascular Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction
by Ylenia Pastorello, Nicoleta Arnaut, Mihaela Straistă, Francesca Caccuri, Arnaldo Caruso and Mark Slevin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(24), 11949; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262411949 - 11 Dec 2025
Abstract
p17, the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) matrix protein traditionally associated with viral assembly, has been recently investigated for its extracellular functions linked to vascular damage. This review examines the molecular and pathogenic signatures by which p17 and its variants (vp17s) contribute [...] Read more.
p17, the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) matrix protein traditionally associated with viral assembly, has been recently investigated for its extracellular functions linked to vascular damage. This review examines the molecular and pathogenic signatures by which p17 and its variants (vp17s) contribute to endothelial activation, aberrant angiogenesis, and vascular inflammation, highlighting their relevance even under effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). Specifically, p17 exerts chemokine-like activities by binding to chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor-1 and 2 (CXCR-1/2) on endothelial cells (ECs). This interaction triggers key signaling cascades, including the protein kinase B (Akt)-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and endothelin-1/endothelin receptor B axis, driving EC motility, capillary formation, and lymphangiogenesis. Variants such as S75X demonstrate enhanced lymphangiogenic potency, associating them with tumorigenic processes involved in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) pathogenesis. Importantly, p17 promotes endothelial von Willebrand factor (vWF) storage and secretion, implicating a pro-coagulant state that may trigger the increased thromboembolic risks observed in HIV-positive patients. Furthermore, p17 crosses the blood–brain barrier (BBB) via CXCR-2-mediated pathways, contributing to neuroinflammation by activating microglia and astrocytes and amplifying monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels, therefore playing a critical role in the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Hence, the elaboration of potential therapeutic strategies finalized at inhibiting p17/vp17s’ interaction with their receptors could complement ART by addressing HIV-related neurovascular morbidity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in HIV Research: Molecular Basis and Potential Therapies)
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